Liwaladzi: The Village of Smiles

Manesi's home alongside water system trench

We are thankful. Liwaladzi was another village of smiles. When compared to the last town of Chitala, this community was perfectly similar in spirit, but because the tower site wasn't located at the town center, we interacted with a smaller group. We erected the water tower directly in front of a small brick house that belonged to a vibrant lady named Manesi, a widowed mother of four. Her daughter, Mavis, often couldn’t contain her love for her mother as she laughed uncontrollably in her arms. It was a sweet reminder that location and circumstance are unable to corrupt a bond as strong as motherly love. I promise these people are untouchable.

Manesi and her daughter Mavis

As the first day progressed, the tower was going up quickly, thanks to the help of the absolutely dedicated and kind men of the Malawi Water Mission Team. The tower site was further from the school than the last project, so we were not immediately surrounded by a large mob of excited little kids. However, by lunch we had become acquainted with dozens of young ones, enthralled by all the “azungu” or “white people” within their village. Some greeted us with cautious smiles, and others with cheeky grins, both equally as endearing. For myself, the most difficult part of being with these children is the inability to communicate with them like I want to. I have so much I would love to ask them about who they are and what they love, but I have been grateful for the understanding that comes in simply spending time with them. It is clear that language has no control over love or friendship. A small hug, or a silly face to make them laugh, was more than enough for them to fall in love with the crazy “azungu.”

The children asked for water every time they saw a bottle in our car, but were happy enough with the empty bottles. The water tower in the background curbed the guilt of not having enough waters to go around. These children are the reason for this project. Their needs are the cause and their hope in our ability to bring them clean water for years to come assures us that this project will have a lasting impact. 

On our first day in Liwaladzi, we had a group of beautiful young girls who never left our side.  The boys had a bit more difficulty warming up to us. That was until we pulled out the soccer ball. As we began to juggle the ball with a few boys more and more joined in until we had quite a crowd on our hands. They had a surprising amount of talent with the ball and had the greatest time laughing at Oriana as she tripped over the ball and me as I did an accidental split, or two. I guess it became quite clear that “azungu” are only human too. With a goal made of two bricks, and a dirt field, we played for hours. 

All kinds of people found their way into the game--boys, girls, mothers, and even our driver joined in the fun. Due to our collection of sideline fans, it was clear that this kind of thing doesn’t happen very often--both an organized soccer game and two loud “azungu” playing against the native boys and girls. We left bruised, blistered, and happier than ever before. That game was hope, and that whole day was happiness, driven by new connections, clean water, and laughter.

As the second and last day at the Liwaladzi project arrived, we were greeted with a few of our new little friends from the previous day, but since it was a school day, many were missing from our number. As the chief arrived later in the day, we were informed that the children who were with us had left school so that they could come and be with us. That’s when we were pretty sure it was love… or just a good excuse to miss school. Either way, we had a pretty good time. Because there were fewer kids, we were finally able to give out the candy that we had in limited quantities. Having enough for everyone was a new satisfaction that we hadn’t yet experienced because the children are many, the need is great, and we are few. Yet, we never heard one child complain… about anything. They were simply grateful.

The ladies asked for a photo with us after we handed out the skirts.

The sweetest part of the trip came at the end of our second day in Liwaladzi. Oriana suggested we buy "chitenje"-- the wrap skirts native women wear in the villages--and hand them out. We were able to buy fifteen skirts to give to the many mothers and grandmothers of the village. As we walked through the small community, we were met with all smiles. As their daughters and granddaughters clung to our sides, the women of all ages welcomed us into their arms. It was generation after generation of love. I felt at home with these women, like I knew them somehow already, as if they were family. I’m not sure there is a way to describe them as they were, from young and pregnant, to old and kind, they were the most beautiful women in the world to me. It had nothing to do with how they looked or what they wore, and everything to do with how I know they lived, how I know they have always lived--working every day of their lives, babies strapped to their backs, buckets of water on their heads, children clinging to their sides, and still smiles on their faces and thankfulness in their hearts because they have always loved the little that they had. As we pulled out the new wraps to hand to them, they practically fell on their knees, grasping our hands repeating, “zikomo guambini,” meaning “thank you very much.”  


It was easy to feel so guilty in that moment--these women, stronger, sweeter, and more resilient than I had ever been a day in my life, feeling like I hung the moon because I gave them something that was well within my ability to give. I should have been the one thanking them, praising them, for what they are, for what they have always had to be for others around them--warm, wonderful women.

Tower 2 is complete! WM Team,
our team and Liwaladzi children

As our last day came to a close, Manesi spoke with tears in her eyes, “God must be with you for the work that you are doing.” She was so thankful for us, and we were so thankful for her. The day fell perfectly into place with a visit to the children’s school to pass out a few sports balls for the children. They exclaimed and cheered with every new gift, and laughed at all of our apparently difficult names. As Ellis goofed off with the balloon, laughter filled the concrete walls of the classroom and for a few minutes, it felt like they forgot about the world that surrounded them. We all have a lot to learn from these children about how to live in the moment--how to find happiness in the simplicities that are only meant to remind us to smile. The walls of the school were lined with inspirational quotes, and the classrooms filled with dedicated teachers and smiling children. That’s what I notice most about this place--happiness. I spoke to a native man who said it perfectly, “We are poor. But we are happy.” That is peace.

Liwaladzi Primary School children with the a soccer ball we brought

We finished the project at Liwaladzi with a group photo of the Water Mission team and the community members who joined us in support. There we all were, underneath the water tower, community members and team members alike, from different countries and walks of life, all brought together beneath one great cause: clean water.

Our team with the staff of the Liwaladzi Primary School